Shloka 18
वैभ्राजवन-प्रसङ्गः / The Episode of Vaibhrāja and the Yogic Forest
Vibhrāja-vana
शूरा ये सम्प्रपद्यन्ते अपुनर्भवकांक्षिणः । पापम्प्रणाशयन्त्वद्य तच्छम्भोः परमम्पदम्
śūrā ye samprapadyante apunarbhavakāṃkṣiṇaḥ | pāpampraṇāśayantvadya tacchambhoḥ paramampadam
May those heroic devotees who take complete refuge—longing for the state of no return, freedom from rebirth—have their sins destroyed today, and may they attain the supreme abode of Śambhu, Lord Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Complete śaraṇāgati to Śambhu with desire for apunarbhava is framed as a direct means to pāpa-kṣaya and attainment of Śiva’s parama-pada (liberating grace).
Type: stotra
FAQs
It praises śaraṇāgati (complete refuge in Śiva) as the direct Shaiva means by which pāpa (karmic impurity) is dissolved and the seeker becomes fit for apunarbhava—liberation from the cycle of rebirth—culminating in Śambhu’s supreme state.
Taking refuge in Śambhu is commonly enacted through Saguna worship—especially Śiva-liṅga pūjā with mantra and devotion—where surrender, not mere ritual, is emphasized as the inner essence that leads beyond bondage toward the supreme abode.
The implied practice is heartfelt surrender expressed through Śiva-mantra japa (notably the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and daily Śiva worship; the goal is inner purification so that sins are destroyed and liberation (apunarbhava) is sought single-pointedly.